MCAT Biochemistry Question 125: Answer and Explanation
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Question: 125
5. The diagram below shows the effects of arsenic on the metabolism of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. As a result, in the presence of arsenic, how many molecules of ATP would be created directly from the conversion of two glucose molecules to four pyruvate molecules?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
- D. 4
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The net ATP yield from glycolysis is 2 ATP per glucose. According to the question, arsenic bypasses glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, directly forming 3-phosphoglycerate. 3-phosphoglycerate kinase is one of the two substrate-level phosphorylation steps and normally produces 2 ATP (one for each of the two molecules of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate formed from glucose). If these two ATP molecules are lost, the net yield of glycolysis is now 0 ATP.